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9 Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day

We’ve all heard some sort of variation about how Valentine’s Day was made up by major corporations to get those financial gainz in after Christmas because two months with no holidays just isn’t going to cut it — therefore Valentine’s Day. Let’s not even bother with it, though, shall we? There’s a way better holiday to celebrate in February, and that’s Galentine’s Day! It’s a fictitious holiday that was made up by Amy Poehler’s eternally optimistic character Leslie Knope from Parks & Recreation, and it’s been celebrated by ladies all over ever since it was introduced on the show back in 2010.

“Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it breakfast style. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.” – Leslie Knope

Not only did Parks & Rec gift us with a wonderful holiday to celebrate our lady friends and make it the day before Valentine’s Day, but they also taught us how to “treat yo self.” One day out of the year, go all out and pamper the hell out of yourself. Galentine’s Day is the best day for you and your lady friends to treat yo self, because surely you’ll want to do more than just kick it breakfast style.

Here are some of my suggestions on how to treat yo self on this fabulous holiday.

Brunch

Breakfast foods are a big staple on Parks & Rec, particularly waffles. This is why it’s important to kick things off breakfast style. Leslie Knope also said, “We have to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, and work. Or waffles, friends, and work. It doesn’t matter. But work is third.” Friends and waffles. Or waffles and friends. However you spend Galentine’s Day, make sure work is not involved!

Day Trip

Galentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, so round up your girls and head somewhere fun. There’s bound to be a great city to explore outside of your hometown with some interesting sites to see.

Spa Day

If you and your friends have been feeling stressed as of late because of work and whatnot, get yourselves to the spa for some much-needed pampering ASAP! Acupuncture optional.

Winery/Brewery Tour

If you’re into wine or craft beer, there might be some great local places nearby to go for wine or beer tasting.

High Tea

Not feelin’ the booze? Maybe having a little tea party’ll do the trick instead. There are some pretty good tea places around that serve tea, biscuits, scones, and whatnot all over. If you’re in San Francisco, Crown & Crumpet has some scones that they serve with jam that will give you so much life.

Museum

Museums are fun! Don’t even try to tell me they’re not. Depending on which kind you go to, there’s art – both contemporary and classic, dinosaur fossils, dioramas, cool ancient artifacts from different parts of the world – the learning possibilities are endless! And I don’t care if Leslie Knope is fictional, I’d like to think she’d high five me for this suggestion.

Theater

Live theater or the movie theater? Either will do just fine! Take a look to see what’s playing around your area, or you can even go to one of those fancy places with reserved seating, reclining chairs, and food that’s served to you during the film. Che fancy!

Local Event

If you opt to stay in town, something is bound to be poppin’ on the local scene. Maybe there’s a craft faire, a food truck bonanza, or a comic convention to check out. I’m actually going to one as part of my Galentine’s Day festivities with my friends. Geeky things with my lady friends? I can’t think of anything better to do!

Movie Marathon

Times are a little tough right now for many of us, so we can’t go and treat ourselves the way we’d like to. Having movie marathons at yours or one of your friends’ homes is still a great way to celebrate. You can make brunch and mix your own mimosas too.

Let’s be real. Romantic love is fleeting, but the love from your bestest friends is eternal. Celebrate it!

Happy Galentine’s Day and don’t forget…

images courtesy of NBC

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Nina Penalosa is a self-proclaimed geek that has a penchant for fancy things. She loves taking inspiration from characters she adores from different walks of pop-culture and blending them into her everyday wardrobe, which she hopes will inspire Wear Your Voice readers to seek fashion inspiration beyond the pages of a magazine. She lived in the Bay Area for a brief period of time as she earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. When she's not working her day job or writing, you can either find her running marathons of the Netflix variety, hanging out with her dog, working on a craft project, window shopping, or being nose deep in a book. Nina also runs her own personal fashion/lifestyle blog called Le Fancy Geek where she writes about all things geeky and fancy (of course).
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